Choosing paint colors and blending tones for your home is a subtle art form that is not to be taken lightly. When selecting paint colors, most people think in terms of lighter and darker tones. Lighter shades make a room expansive and airy while darker colors give an intimate appearance. But why stop there? Colors themselves add another dimension of brain responses and stimulants to the table of options for your home. Learn more from experienced house painters in Fort Collins how color psychology can help you choose your home’s perfect paint colors.
The Effects of Color on Our Minds
Colors have been proven to have the ability to change our state of mind. They can energize us, calm us, increase our concentration, make us sad, make us feel romantic, and so much more. Advertisers use this to sell their products and restaurants use it to get us to eat more. You should use this as well. The psychology of color is the real deal and using it to your advantage on both the exterior and interior of your home can be a real game changer with regard to the quality of your life.
Psychological Aspects of Specific Colors
Let’s start with the neutrals. White can be used to create a refreshing and clean look in your home. White can be used to create an atmosphere of innocence, purity, and open space. White can also give the impression that a room or building is much larger than it actually is. White looks especially nice in large spaces and larger buildings. It gives the impression of being modern, sleek, and new. This may have a subconscious effect, giving your mind room to be expansive.
- Brown can give us a sense of security and stability. In interiors, brown can add depth and warmth. Natural shades of brown create a pleasant rustic effect when used as an exterior color. They look especially suited when surrounded by a lawn and trees. Brown gives the impression of being worldly, established, and grounded.
- Green is the color perceived as calm and healing. A view of a lush nature scene has been found to promote recovery from surgery. For that reason, greens are currently popular colors in the design of healthcare facilities. Green is also associated with forgiveness, compassion, tranquility, and fertility, making this a great color for a bedroom. With green as an exterior home color, you will be thought of as the most welcoming of all the neighbors – even if you aren’t.
- Blue is used to create an atmosphere of work and meditation. The color blue has been shown to lower blood pressure and heart rate. When used in a kitchen, blue is said to decrease appetite and will help you lose weight. However, choosing blue as an exterior paint color is not as inviting. Homes that are the color of water may seem unstable and unwelcoming.
- Yellow can give a bright and optimistic air for your home. It is an excellent choice for kitchens, dining rooms, and bathrooms, where it is energizing and uplifting. In halls, entries, and small spaces, yellow can feel expansive and welcoming. Even though yellow is a cheery color, it is not a good choice for your primary color schemes. Studies show that people are more likely to lose their temper in a yellow interior. Babies also seem to cry more in yellow rooms. In large amounts, this color tends to create feelings of frustration and anger. So as an exterior color, yellow is not recommended as you do not want angry neighbors yelling at you.
- Red raises a room’s energy level. Being the most intense color, it pumps the adrenaline like no other hue. It is a good choice when you want to stir up excitement, particularly at night. In the living room or dining room, red draws people together and stimulates conversation. A red entry way , creates an unmistakably strong first impression. Red has been shown to raise blood pressure and speed respiration and heart rate. However, too much red could promote aggressiveness or anger. So, much like yellow, avoid using red in exterior paint schemes.
- Purple conveys wealth and extravagance. Purple, in its darkest values, is rich, dramatic, and sophisticated. This color may also be associated with luxury and creativity. As an accent or secondary color, it gives a scheme depth. Lighter shades of purple, such as lavender and lilac, evoke romantic and nostalgic feelings. Nevertheless, too much of the darker shades of purple evokes gloom and sad feelings and can cause frustration. Purple is also a poor choice for exterior paint schemes, coming across as gloomy and depressing.
- Orange evokes excitement and enthusiasm and is an energetic color. While not a good idea for a living room or bedrooms, this color is an excellent choice for an exercise room. Orange is a beautiful accent color for exterior doors or exterior accents as it brings a hint of optimism and positivity to your visitors.
Obviously, there are many more colors to research, but this provides a foundation when choosing paint colors. So when you start thinking about painting your bathroom or maybe repainting your home, consider the psychological aspects in addition to the color of your curtains that you are trying to match. Remember, a small consideration before you select a paint color can have a substantial impact on your living space.
